The newer fleet KIHA 72 series is used for two round trips of Yufuin no Mori. As of July, 2015, one more car was added to this train set. Not it is five cars formation.
These trains connect Hakata (博多) with Yufuin (由布院) and Oita (大分) or Beppu (別府). Yufuin is one of the most popular hot springs resort in Kyushu. This is the train that you need to take when you go to Yufuin. Of course these train’s name are named from Yufuin. “Yufuin no Mori” means Yufuin’s forest. These two trains are operated on same route and fully covered by JR Pass. But Yufuin no Mori is operated by the specialized car, KIHA-71 or 72 series. This express train is one of the best in JR Kyushu train and very very popular. So I strongly recommend to take Yufuin no Mori, not Yufu.
I will explain about the route, schedule and accommodations of these trains in this post.
Route, schedule and trip time
The number of trips are the following:
Yufuin no Mori (ゆふいんの森): 2 round trips between Hakata and Yufuin, and 1 round trip between Hakata and Oita
Yufu (ゆふ): 2 round trips between Hakata and Beppu, and one round trip between Hakata and Oita
These trains connect Hakata with Yufuin in 2 hours 10-15 minutes, and with Oita in 3 hours. There is no difference for the time required between Yufuin no Mori and Yufu. But the accommodation is completely different.
You can check the timetable at JR Kyushu website (English).
| Stations | |
|---|---|
| Hakata (博多) | x |
| Futsukaichi (二日市) | x |
| Tosu (鳥栖) | x |
| Kurume (久留米) | x |
| Kurume Daigakumae (久留米大学前) | * |
| Tanushimaru (田主丸) | * |
| Chikugo-Yoshii (筑後吉井) | x |
| Ukiha (うきは) | * |
| Hita (日田) | x |
| Amagase (天ヶ瀬) | x |
| Bungomori (豊後森) | x |
| Bungo-Nakamura (豊後中村) | x |
| Yufuin (由布院) | x |
| Yunohira (湯平) | x |
| Mukainoharu (向之原) | x |
| Oita (大分) | x |
| Beppu (別府) | * |
x:All train stop *:Some of trains stop
View Yufuin no Mori in a larger map
One round trip of Limited Express Yufuin no Mori is operated by KIHA-71 series. (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Accommodation and train formations
Both Yufuin no Mori and Yufu do not have any green car.
Yufuin no Mori is operated by KIHA-71 or KIHA-72 series. KIHA-72 is newer than KIHA-71. Those trains are produced for the resort express train to Yufuin hot springs resort. Even though these trains have no green car, those give you a higher passengers seat and it offers a great view through huge windows. Those trains have same concept and same shape. Either KIHA-71 or 72 will satisfy your riding experience.
Yufu is operated by KIHA 185 series. This is not bad but it is nothing special.
*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.
You may see lots of this logo inside and outside of this train. (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Yufuin no Mori KIHA-71 series
The seat configurations are 2+2 and the seat pitch is 960mm. There are “Buffet” (Cafeteria) and salon space. Usually this series is used for Yufuin no Mori #3 and #4.
Images
Ordinary seat
Buffet (Cafeteria and kiosk)
Salon space
Sanitary space
Passenger’s deck and common space
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| R | R/B | S/R | R |
R=Reserved ordinary seat B=Buffet (cafeteria and kiosk) S=Salon space
Yufuin no Mori KIHA-72 series
This is newer than KIHA-71 series. But it looks very similar. The concept of this series is almost same as KIHA-71, like higher passenger’s deck and buffet. But this series does not have any salon space. The seat configurations are 2+2 and the seat pitch is 1000mm. These cars give you a bigger leg space. There are “Buffet” (Cafeteria) too. And this series has semi compartment on car #3. Usually this series is used for Yufuin no Mori #1, #2, #5 and #6.
Images
Ordinary seat
Semi compartment on Car #3
Buffet (Cafeteria and kiosk)
Sanitary space
Passenger’s deck and common space
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| R | R | B/R | R |
R=Reserved ordinary seat B=Buffet (cafeteria and kiosk)
KIHA 185 series is the standard car for Yufu. (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Yufu KIHA-185 series
This train is the standard train. This is okay. But Yufuin no Mori is way better than this train. The seat configuration is 2+2. This series has been restored several times. So the seat pitch is 940 mm and some cars give you more space, 1020 mm. Yufu does not have any dining facilities and on board sales. So please buy something to eat and drink before boarding.
*Be careful!!! When KIHA 71 or 72 series for Yufuin no Mori is in maintenance, this 185 series is replaced.
Images
Ordinary seat
Sanitary space
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| R | R/NR | R |
R=Reserved ordinary seat NR=Non reserved ordinary seat
Comments
I was traveling to Kyushu a few years ago and was conflicted when choosing between Nagasaki and Beppu for my destination. I remember that one of the pros of choosing Beppu was that I could take Yufuin no Mori (at least until Oita) and experience the very different interior it offers. I ultimately chose Nagasaki to take the nightscape from Mt. Inasa and put my Beppu plan on hold. Hopefully in the coming years this pandemic would end properly and I can actually start to plan again for that withheld Beppu travel of mine!
Thanks for the article and happy new year 2021!!
Happy New Year, Yvan. Thanks for your comment.
I hope that we can travel anywhere freely soon.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi / JPRail.com,
Can I know the train schedule for time between 8th – 14th March? I notice the new schedule is for 14th March onwards and the one before is only until 29th February.
Thank you,
Angel
Hi Angel,
You can find the timetable in the link below:
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/time_table/time_table.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks a lot!
Actually, I tried clicking on the schedule for Timetables (major trains, 2020.2.1-2020.3.13) but there was nothing to view. Can you confirm?
Hi Angel,
I think that is a server error or some technical issues on JR Kyushu website. Please check it later.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you, I am able to access it now. However, how do i read the time. For example, I would like to go to Yufuin from Hakata on the 10th, it listed Yufuin No Mori 2 with timing of 12.09. Only 1 train on first half of the day. Does this mean train will pick up from Hakata at 12.09 or arrive in Yufuin that time?
Hi Angel,
Yufuin no Mori 2 runs from Yufuin to Hakata. Please see the upper table. You have to take Yufuin no Mori 1 (Hakta 9:24 – Yufuin 11:36) if you want to leave in the morning. Yufuin no Mori 3 leaves Hakata at 10:24 and arrive in Yufuin at 12:39. But this train will not run on March 10, 11 and 12.
By the way, in Japan, Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studio Japan have decided that they will be closed until March 14th because of Corona virus outbreak. Most schools are closed and many attractions in whole part of Japan are expected to be closed until mid March. The train will run as normal but you may not be able to go the places where you wana to go. I’m happy that you will visit Japan but please keep it in your mind.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! Is Yufuin no Mori covered by the Sanyo-sanin-northerm kyushu pass?
Hi FC,
Yes, it is.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
Yufuin no Mori 1,2,5,6 ⇒ Yufu 71,72,75,76 (http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/pdf/timetable_20190316_20200229.pdf)
Does this mean that instead of “Yufuin no Mori” there will be a standard train?
Jan.14-16 (((
Hi Dmitrii,
Exactly. It will be operated by the standard train fleet.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi, thanks.
Another question: where can I find a map of routes and bus schedules that can be used JR PASS?
Hi Dmitrii,
We cannot get any detailed info actually. The coverage of JR Bus by JR pass is sometimes changed without the notice. I have never seen the list or the detailed info about the bus which is covered by JR pass. I’m sure that JR Pass covers the following bus services.
Hachinohe/Aomori – Lake Towada
Naganohra Kusatsuguchi – Kusatsu onsen
Kyoto station – Takao
Hiroshima sightseeing loop bus “Meipuru-pu”
I have no idea that JR pass covers other JR bus now.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I wish to travel to Yufuin from Beppu and then back to Beppu. Which is the best way? Thanks
Hi Jon,
You may take the limited express train Yufuin no Mori. But this is only one round trip a day between Beppu and Yufuin. If you cannot take this train, you have to take the local trains between Beppu and Oita, and between Oita and Yufuin. You must change trains at Oita. Please use hyperdia to find the train connections:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi San, I can take the local trains using JR North Kyushu pass?
Hi Jonathan san,
You can take any JR local trains by Northern Kyushu rail pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
I would be grateful if you could please give the times of trains fom Yufuin Station to Oits Station from 7am onwards on Sunday morning 20th Oct 2019?
Hi M Timbervine,
Please see the link below to find the timetable:
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/pdf/timetable_20190316_20200229.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I will be arriving in fukuoka international on 11 feb 2020, at 8.10am. I will need to exchange my JR north kyushu pass and collect tickets for yufuin no mori train which departs at 1024am.Do you think I will be able to catch the train on time? I intend to reserve tickets online – this will ensure i can ride the train but not a specified seat right?
Hi takeshi san, sorry i just saw the conditions and realised that i should not ask on itinerary. Please delete my comments. Thank you!
Hi Stella san,
It may be tight if you arrive in Fukuoka by the international flight. If so, I expect that you will spend one hour to complete immigration, custom and baggage pick up. And you will spend at least 30 minutes to get Hakata station. And then you have to exchange your pass and collect the ticket.
If everything goes smoothly, you will be able to make it. But you may spend extra time to find the location to exchange the pass. The flight may be delayed. Even 10 minutes delay is a big issue.
If I were you, I don’t do this. It’s risky. But the choice is yours. It’s your trip.
You sometimes can pick up the seat. I think it depends on the train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com